Need advise on early Winchester resto

[N8Gunner]

Last week I acquired my 2nd early Winchester,This one has serial # 11100xx.
My best guess is that it was produced in mid 1943.
The barrel is marked W and has the (PW) on the barrel as well.
all of the parts on it appear to be all original Winchester , but it has a few issues......
The "L" marked front sight has had its "ear's" cut off flush, with the sight base.
The type 1 front band has released,(separates) at it's spot welds, and is missing its original swivel.
Lastly , the "I" cut high wood stock has had all stampings and cartouche' removed and is coated with a too shiny for my taste , "tru oil" type finish.

I would like to have the stock restored ,perhaps even cartouche restoration( re stamping the correct Winchester stock stamps )
Can anyone recommend a source for the stock/ cartouche restoration ?
I haven't had any luck finding an original win type 1 swivel , or "L" marked wincheser front sight yet, so am pondering going with repros on those 2 items , and also considering a re park on the entire gun. Any advise is much appreciated by this newbie- Thanks, in advance

2nd Win

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[painter777]

Need advise on early Winchester resto.

Last week I acquired my 2nd early Winchester,
I would like to have the stock restored ,perhaps even cartouche restoration( re stamping the correct Winchester stock stamps )
Can anyone recommend a source for the stock/ cartouche restoration ?....

I haven't had any luck finding an original win type 1 swivel , or "L" marked winchester front sight yet, so am pondering going with repros on those 2 items.

Advise is a verb meaning “to give counsel to; offer an opinion or suggestion as worth following.

Over 100 views and no offers to counsel, opinions or suggestions? Wondering why?
My ADVICE would be if you value your name and reputation think long and hard about your possible alterations......... But since you've owned it a whole week and can't find a few parts, your already thinking 'REPRO/FAKE PARTS'
Why worry about finding a correct barrel band and front sight if you plan to 'Hump' the stock markings?
Given any thought to what that carbine may have been used for and by whom before it was civilian owned? .......... It's place in History

More to come later, just trying to get you to stop and think first before going over the edge.

Regards,
Charlie-Painter777

[m1a1fan]

JMO, leave it as you found it. See if you can trace its history especially if original or close to.

[shadycon]

If the stock has been varnished, use a quality stripper and steel wool, just enough to remove it. Lightly rinse and let dry good out of direct sunlight. If you have fuzzies , use the steel wool to remove them. refinish to your liking. If to light then you may want to stain. I did this to an old Underwood that the varnish had become thick and gooey. To refinish all I had to do was reoil as it retained a nice brown color. I did no sanding.

[N8Gunner]

Gentlemen,
At last , some input in my thread ! Good . I can appreciate all advise / opinions and shall consider the input about my carbine as I make my choices , for it.
Indeed , I was hoping someone would pony up a lead on the best cartouche "humper" in the business, as I am still inclined to have the correct stampings on the rare stock , restored.
Still need a front sight and a swivel (the original band , while separated at the spot welds, works , for me)
Having the stock refinished to more resemble how it looked in 1943 , would bring me great happiness.
Restored cartouche stampings , on this rifle , to me , would be no different than someone putting new insignia decals on a restored P51 Mustang , or painting a shiny new white star , on the hood of a restored Willeys MB or Ford GPW.
I had considered leaving it "as is".....but quickly discarded that idea, as , in my opinion , the "billy bobbed" sawn off sight ears and shiny "tru oil" stock finish , look like shite , on a white chicken.
The only history that I have on this carbine , from the widow of the 1960's era vet , who last owned it , is that her deceased husband bought it off off a drunk , in a bar, for $50, back in the 1970's.
As I consider the overall history of this "1 of 828,000" Winchester M1 carbines, I would hope that it did its bit, to protect the life of the service members that it was issued to. That it did indeed slay and vanquish the enemies of the USA in a World War , and perhaps subsequent police actions. And I am thankful, that it apparently escaped "rebuild" into a more common "mix-master" example , like the majority of its 6 million brethren carbines .
And, also , I am even more thankful , that I now have 2 , such early Winchester M1 carbines.
Here are some photos of the one I picked up last year...#10472xx.

My Win

[AFJon]

Keep in mind re-stamping the stock will reduce it's value to collectors as they will spot the non authentic cartouche, and when you are gone the rifle may be passed off as an "all original" to an unsuspecting buyer.

[shadycon]

Do what makes you happy. Their are a lot of folks that replace defaced parts to make them as close to correct as possible, I think most just don't talk about it. In my opinion replace the modified parts. Most of these are mixmasters anyway. People restore most anything, cars. planes, furniture, you name it, it's been restored. Enjoy your hobby and make your self happy..........Value is in the eye of the holder!!!!!!!!!!!

[painter777]

Find a local Body/Fab Shop that has a Pinch Type Electric Spot Welder.
Couldn't Imagine it would be very pricey for a couple of Spot Welds.
No after grinding needed.

Also,
Your front sight is like many that had the side ears bent off for better sighting in low light conditions. My Father said this was very common in the PTO during WWII.
Your replacement doesn't have to be 'L' marked, most in this serial range were unmarked but made by Lyman for WRA.

HTH,
Charlie-Painter777

[Snowman1510]

IMHO, don't restamp it. As stated earlier somebody in the future might try and pass it off. I had to think about doing that same thing with my carbine. Wound up buying a WW2 surplus M1 carbine stock set from keepshooting.com for like 35 bucks.

[browningautorifle]

My Father said this was very common in the PTO during WWII.

Very interesting, that's the first I've heard of it.

Likewise, I'd strip any finish off the stock and return it to oil and replace damaged parts with NOS or good examples. The stamping of marks I'd leave alone. A reparkerize will remove value but make it look like a million if done correctly. Kind of a double edge sword...I've done lots though, back when they weren't worth much.